Rotary printing apparatus



Nov. 1, 1966 K, GROTH ETAL ROTARY PRINTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed June 9, 1965 NOV. 1, 1966 GRQTH ETAL 3,282,202

ROTARY PRINTING APPARATUS Filed June 9, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5 69 INVENTORS' 58 KURT GROTH Haw LEI- MANN 51 wzzwmrm Nov. 1, 1966K. GROTH ETAL ROTARY PRINTING APPARATUS Filed June 9, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet I5 United States Patent M 3,282,202 ROTARY PRHN'IINGAPPARATUS Kurt Groth and Werner Lehmann, both at Fribonrg,

Switzerland, assignors to Polytype AG, Freiburg, Switzerland Thisinvention relates to the printing of lids or covers and, moreparticularly, to a novel and very substantially improved apparatus forprinting, counting and stacking lids or covers.

In the printing of lids or covers for containers and the like, the lidsare removed from a storage or supply stack or device and transported toa printing station where they are brought into contact with a rotaryprint-ing means generally having segments of resilient material thereoncarrying the printing plates. Usually the lids or covers then aretransported through suitable means for drying the printing thereon,counting the lids or covers, and stacking or packaging the lids orcovers.

It is known, in arrangements of this type, to provide storage orstacking devices comprising composite worms having different pitches. Anendless conveyor removes the lids to be printed from the stacking deviceand carries the lids to the printing mechanism. Known arrangements ofthis type have the disadvantage that the feeding of the lids or coversfrom the stack thereof to the conveyor, and then through the printingmechanism, it is not precise or exact. Consequently, Waste results fromthe printing of the lid or cover being displaced or offset or due to therim of the lid or cover being damaged.

Another disadvantage of known arrangements of this type is that theprinted lids frequently stick to the cushion printing segments and donot drop off onto the conveyor belt. This also results in considerabletrouble as Well as waste. In addition, the worms provided at thestacking devices are not adapted to all forms of lids.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fully automaticapparatus for the printing of lids or covers for containers of the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fully automaticapparatus for the printing of lids or covers, and which avoids thedisadvantages of prior art apparatus for the printing of lids or covers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fully automaticapparatus for the printing of lids or covers, and including a novelstacking device for storing or stacking the lids or covers, and fromwhich the lids or covers are extracted for transport to a printingstation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an automatic apparatusfor the printing of lids or covers in which the lids or covers to beprinted, which are arranged in a stack or supply device, are transportedfrom the stack or supply device to the printing mechanism by a chainconveyor provided with prismatic abutments for engaging and transportingthe respective lids or covers along a feed table.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic apparatusfor the printing of lids or covers, of the type just mentioned, and inwhich the chain, together with the prismatic abutments, moves over theupper surface of a feed table which is adjustable in height.

Another object of the invention is to provide automatic apparatus forprinting lids or covers, of the type just described, in which the feedtable is provided with two 3,2822% Patented Nov. 1, 1966 suctiondevices, one adjacent the supply stack and the other adjacent theprinting mechanism to assure positive positioning of the lids or coversto be withdrawn from the supply stack and to be printed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fully automaticapparatus for printing covers or lids, of the type mentioned, and inwhich a rotatable carrier supporting the printing segments is providedwith cam controlled ejecting fingers arranged to positively displace theprinted lids or covers from the printing segments onto a conveyor beltfor transport to a drying arrangement.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a fully automaticapparatus for printing lids or covers including novel stacking meansreceiving the printed lids or covers and controlled by a counter todistribute the lids or covers between several stacks.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a fully automaticapparatus for printing lids or covers including inking rollers and thelike in the printing mechanism, and means whereby the rollers may bereadily and easily dismounted for inspection maintenance and/ or repair.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference ismade to the following description of typical embodiments thereof asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic side elevation view, partly in section,illustrating automatic apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, partly in axial section and to anenlarged scale, of the carrier for the printing segments, andillustrating the cam controlled ejecting fingers; Y

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view through an ink well supportarrangement;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the ink well supportarrangement;

FIG. 6 is a somewhat schematic elevation view of one form of lidcounting and stacking arrangement embodying the invention;

FIG. 7 is a somewhat schematic plan View corresponding to FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another form of lid counting and stackingmechanism embodying the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a partial axial sectional view illustrating the disengageablelocking means for an inking roller.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the apparatus of theinvention includes a support frame 1 on which there is mounted astacking or supply device for containing a supply of lids or covers 2which are to be printed. This stacking device comprises a holder 3 onwhich is supported a plurality of upwardly extending guide rods 4.Extending beneath the stacking device there is a feed table 5 which isadjustable in height. Feed table 5 serves as a flat and elongatedsupport for the upper run of an endless conveyor chain 6 to which aresecured abutments or engaging members 7 arranged to engage lids 2 andtransport them along feed table 5. The abutments 7, insofar as their lidor cover engaging portion is concerned, are generally prismatic in plan,having the shape of a trapezoid with an open larger base. By virtue ofthis shape, the abutments 7 are able to guide lids or covers 2 from thestacking or supply device in exactly aligned relation to the printingstation.

At the printing station, there is a drum or cylinder member 8a servingas a carrier for the printing segments 8 carrying the printing plates.As in the standard case, these printing segments 8 are made of aresilient material such as rubber, and are mounted at uniformly spacedpositions around the circumference of carrier 8a. The drive of conveyorchain 6 is synchronized with the rotation of carrier 8a, supporting theprinting segments 8, by means of a chain drive 9a trained over sprockets9, there being a common drive means for the chain drive 9a and the chainconveyor 6. A hand wheel 10 is provided for conjoint adjustment ofconveyor chain 6 and chain drive 911.

Two suction devices 11 and 12, are provided in spaced relation on feedtable 5 and are commonly connected to a connection 13 arranged forconnection to a source of vacuum. Suction device 11 quickly clamps thefalling lids or covers to hold the same for engagement by an abutment 7.Suction device 12 retains the lids or covers in correct position forengagement by a printing segment 8 carrying the inked printing plate.The drawing of the lids or covers is effected by the combined action ofthe printing segments 8 and a counter printing cylinder 14, and as thelids or covers are drawn between these two elements, the desiredprinting is eifected on the lid or cover.

As best seen in FIG. 3, ejecting fingers or plungers 18 are mounted forradial displacement in carrier 8a to prevent sticking of the lids orcovers to the printing segments 8. These fingers are cyclically operatedby means of a face cam 15 having a track in which there is engaged, foreach finger, a roller 16 connected to the associated finger 18 by thelinkage indicated at 17. Fingers 18 are operated in such a manner as topush the printed lids or covers radially away from the printingsegments, so that the printed lids or covers will fall onto an endlessconveyor belt 19, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A drying arrangement is positioned above the upper run of conveyor belt19 and arranged to dry the printed lids or covers. Suitable mechanism,illustrated at 21, is driven by gearing 22 and is effective, whenconveyor belt 19 is at a standstill, to deflect drying arrangement 20 insuch a manner that the heat rays are directed away from lids or covers 2lying on conveyor belt 19 and away from the conveyor belt. For example,the drying device may be deflected in such a manner that its heat raysare directed upwardly. However, as soon as conveyor 19 resumes itsmotion, the gearing 22 moves the drying system back into its operativeposition. The arrangement including the elements 21 and 22 preventsburning of the stationary lids or covers or of the stationary conveyorbelt 19.

Conveyor belt 19 transports the printed and dried lids or covers 2 to astacking device comprising a vertically movable ram 23. Ram 23 is drivenin synchronism with carrier 8a through a shaft 24, a slidable member 25and an eccentric 26. A connecting rod 27 connects eccentric 26 to asuitable collar on the shaft or piston rod of ram 23. The stackingdevice includes a suction means 28, a blowing or positive pressure means29, an upright cylindrical receiver 30, with which there is associated aholding ring 31, and stack guide rods 32 extending upwardly from theupper end of receiver 30.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, conveyor 19 is illustrated as delivering the printedand dried lids or covers to a relatively simple stacking device.However, within the scope of the invention the conveyor 19, or itsequivalent, may deliver the printed and dried lids and covers to acounting and packaging device. Such an arrangement is shown in FIGS. 6and 7.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a counter 33 is arranged adjacentconveyor 19. Counter 33 may be a mechanical counter, anelectro-mechanical counter, or a photocelltype of counter. The countercounts the lids or covers 2 transported by the conveyor belt 19. Afterthe counter 33 counts a preselected number of lids or covers 2, whichnumber is adjustable, it delivers a pulse to a packaging device.

This packaging device comprises a vertically and angularly displaceableturntable or plate 34. By means of supports 35 positioned atequi-angular spacings around turntable 34, three stacking devices 38, 39and 40, for example, are supported on turntable 34. Each stacking deviceincludes stack guide rods 36 and pivoted detents 37. Plate or turntable34 is vertically displaced by means of a cylinder 41 having a piston rod42 operatively associated with a clutch device comprising members 43 and44. Member 43 is free to rotate relative to rod 42, and is rotatablymounted on a support or bracket 45. Member 44 is fixedly connected torotate with shaft or piston rod 42.

The lower part of upper clutch member 43 is provided with a pair ofdiametrically opposite downwardly projecting pin 46. Lower clutch member44 is provided with several pairs of diametrically opposite bores orapertures 50 therethrough, there being three pairs of bores 50 in theexample selected for illustration, each pair corresponding angularly toa respective stacking device 38, 39 or 40. An upright pin 49 issupported on a bracket 50 and, in the lower position of turntable 34,pin 49 extends through a bore 50 in member 44.

Angular displacement of turntable 34 is effected by means of a cylinder51 having a piston rod 53 connected to an eccentric pin 52 on upperclutch member 43. Cylinder 51 is swingably secured to bracket 45 or toanother fixed portion of support frame 1.

When a predetermined number of covers or lids 2 have been counted bycounter 33, the latter delivers an output pulse which effects operationof cylinder 41 to lift its piston rod 42. This upward movement of pistonrod 42 lifts turntable 34 supporting the stacking devices, and alsolifts lower clutch member 44, disengaging clutch member 44 from pin 49and engaging pins 46 and 47 in a pair of diametrically opposite bores 50in member 44. Member 44, and thus piston rod 42, are thereby connectedto rotate with the clutch member 43. At this time, cylinder 51 isactivated to displace its piston rod 53 and rotate clutch member 43through an angular displacement equal to the angular displacement of thestacking devices 38, 39 and 40 from each other. This, in turn, effectsrotation of lower clutch member 44 and the connected rod 42. Cylinder 51remains under pressure, with its piston rod 53 extended, while pressureis released from cylinder 41. Thus, piston rod 42 moves downwardly and,as lower clutch member 44 disengages pins 46 and 47, an aperture 50therein receives pin 49, thus locking member 44 and piston rod 42, aswell as table 34, against angular displacement. Piston 51 is nowenergized to retract its piston rod 53, ending the cycle. The greaterthe number of stacking devices 38, 39 and 40, the greater is the amountof time available for attending to the stacked lids and covers, forexample, by removing completed stacks and packing the same.

Another embodiment of a lid or cover counting and packaging device isillustrated in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, a counter 53, which may beidentical with the counter 33, is arranged adjacent conveyor belt 19. Ashort conveyor belt 56, trained over rollers 54 and 55, is arranged injuxtaposition to the end portion of conveyor 19, and a fixed guide rail57 is positioned over the upper surface of .conveyor 56. A pivotedswitch 58 is associated with conveyor 19, and normally occupies theposition shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8. A stacking device 59 isarranged in alignment with conveyor 19, and a second stacking device 60is arranged in alignment with conveyor 56. After a preselected andadjustable number of lids or covers 2 have been counted by counter 53, acontrol pulse is delivered to a suitable gearing, which has not beenillustrated, which is arranged to pivot the switch 58. Responsive tothis pulse, the switch 58 is pivoted to the broken line position of FIG.8 so that the lids or covers 2 are deflected from conveyor 19 ontoconveyor 56 for delivery to the stacking device 60. Upon the next pulsereceived from counter 53, the switch 58 is swung back to the solid lineposition so that the lids or covers 2 are now delivered to the stackingdevice 59. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 8, as well as in the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, a suction device 61 and a 5 blowing device 62are associated with the stacking devices.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a simple and convenient inking arrangement.Each ink well 63 is formed with sliding rails or flanges 64 and 65 whichengage slidably in grooves 66 and 67 of a support frame. The position ofeach ink Well 63 in the support frame is releasably secured by means ofa detent pin 70, biased by a spring 78, inserted in a bore 69 in theframe 68. In place of the detent pin illustrated, a spring pressedball-type of detent arrangement may be used.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the down times ofthe apparatus, such as caused by the necessity for ink changes andadjustment, are limited to a minimum by means providing for readyinterchangeability and rapid adjusting of the several rollers. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, this means comprises a novel roller lock.

This roller lock comprises an eccentric axle member 72 and an eccentricfine adjustment bushing 73. A grip member 74 is secured to the outer endof axle member 72, and interengageable ratchet teeth 75 are provided onthe facing end surfaces of bushing 73 and grip member 74. A radiallydisplaceable detent pin 76 is slidable in a diametric bore in axlemember 72, and is biased radially outwardly by a spring 77 to engage insuitable detent 0 recesses in the inner surface of bushing 73. The forceof spring 77 may be adjusted by a regulating screw 78.

A stub axle 80 extends eccentrically from the inner end of member 72 andis engaged in the cylindrical roller 79.

By angularly adjusting member 72, a fine adjustment of the position ofroller 79 is effected.

In order to exchange a roller 79, the operator merely takes hold of gripmember 74- and pulls the same outwardly. Ratchet pin 76 has a bevelledend so that it is forced radially inwardly to rel-ease shaft 72 frombushing 73 allowing the axle 72 to be withdrawn from roller 79.

While the described counting and packaging systems, such as shown inFIGS. 6, 7 and 8, have been illustrated as used with the conveyorprinting and conveying mechanlsm shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it would beunderstood that these particular lid or cover counting and packagingdevices may be used with known lid and cover printing arrangements, suchas those having worm type stacking means for the covers or lids.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cover supply deviceabove said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the later to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device, a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspaced locations there around; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier to receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a segment to print the covers; drying means receivingthe printed covers; and stacking means receiving the dried covers; saidholder for swinging over said feed table and away tending upwardly fromsaid holder and means mounting said holder for swinging over said feedtable and away from the latter about a vertical axis.

2. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cover supply deviceabove said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the latter to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device; a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; lural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspace-d locations therearound; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier o receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a seg ment to print the covers; drying meansreceiving the printed covers; and stacking means receiving the driedcovers; said abutments being secured to said conveyor element at spacedintervals therealong corresponding to the peripheral spacing of saidprinting segments, and extending rigidly laterally from said conveyorelement; each abutment having the shape of a trapezoid with its largerbase open.

3. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cove-r supply deviceabove said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the latter to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device; a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspaced locations therearound; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier to receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a segment to print the covers; drying means receivingthe printed covers; stacking means receiving the dried covers; andejection fingers mounted in said carrier for radial displacement, eachadjacent a respective segment, and each operable, as a cover has beenprinted by the respective printing segment, to engage the cover to pushit away from the respective printing segment.

4. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cover supply deviceabove said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the latter to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device; a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspaced locations therearound; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier to receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a segment to print the covers; drying means receivingthe printed covers; stacking means receiving the dried covers; ejectionfingers mounted on said carrier for radial displacement, each adjacent arespective segment, and each operable, as a cover has been printed bythe respective printing segment, to engage the cover to push it awayfrom the respective printing segment; and cam means operativelyassociated with said carrier and engaged with said ejection fingers toradially displace the same in a predetermined cycle.

5. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cover supply deviceabout said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the latter to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device; a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspaced locations therear ound; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier to receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a segment to print the covers; drying :meansreceiving the printed covers; stacking means receiving the dried covers;means ejecting printed covers from said carrier; a conveyor beltreceiving the covers ejected from said carrier; said drying means beingpositioned over the upper surface of said conveyor belt; and meansoperable, responsive to halting of said conveyor belt, to deflect saiddrying means away from said conveyor belt and, responsive to re-startingof said conveyor belt, to return said drying means to operative relationwith said conveyor belt.

6. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cover supply deviceabove said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the latter to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device; a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspaced locations therearound; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier to receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a segment to print the covers; drying means receivingthe printed covers; stacking means receiving the dried covers; meansejecting printed covers from said carrier; and a conveyor belt receivingthe covers ejected from said carrier; said drying means being positionedover the upper surface of said conveyor belt; said stacking meansincluding a vertically displaceable ram, driving means verticallydisplacing said ram in synchronism with rotation of said carrier, asuction device and a fluid pressure device conjointly operable todisplace covers from said conveyor belt onto said ram, a support ringarranged to receive covers from said ram, and guide rods extendingupwardly from said support ring to support a stack of printed and driedcovers.

7. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cover supply deviceabove said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the latter to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device; a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspaced locations therearound; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier to receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a segment to print the covers; drying means receivingthe printed covers; stacking means receiving the dried covers; meansejecting printed covers from said carrier; a conveyor belt receiving thecovers ejected from said carrier; said drying means being positionedover the upper surface of said conveyor belt; and counting meansoperatively associated with said conveyor belt to count coverstransported thereby, said counting means controlling operation of saidstacking means.

8. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cover supply deviceabove said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the latter to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device; a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspaced locations therearound; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier to receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a segment to print the covers; drying means receivingthe printed covers; means ejecting printed covers from said carrier; aconveyor belt receiving the covers ejected from said carrier; saiddrying means being positioned over the upper surface of said conveyorbelt; a counter operatively associated with said conveyor belt to countcovers transported thereby from said drying means; a turntable device; aplurality of stack support devices positioned uniformly around saidturntable device; said turntable device being angularly displaceable toalign respective support devices in succession with the end of saidconveyor belt to receive printed and dried covers from the latter; andoperating means effective to angularly displace said turntable device;said counter, responsive to passage of a preselected number of coversalong said conveyor belt, triggering said operating means to angularlydisplace said turntable device to position a succeeding stacking devicein operative relation with the end of said conveyor belt.

9. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cover supply deviceabove said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the latter to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device; a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspaced locations therearound; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier to receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a segment to print the covers; drying means receivingthe printed covers; means ejecting printed covers from said carrier; aconveyor belt receiving the covers ejected from said carrier; saiddrying means being positioned over the upper surface of said conveyorbelt; a counter operatively associated with said conveyor belt to countcovers transported thereby from said drying means; a turntable device; aplurality of stack support devices positioned uniformly around saidturntable device; said turntable device being angularly displaceable toalign respective support devices in succession with the end of saidconveyor belt to receive printed and dried covers from the latter;operating means effective to angularly displace said turntable device;said counter, responsive to passage of a preselected number of coversalong said conveyor belt, triggering said operating means to angularlydisplace said turntable device to position a succeeding stacking devicein operative relation with the end of said conveyor belt; a verticallydisplaceable ram positioned adjacent the end of said conveyor belt andaligned with each stacking device as the latter is moved into operativerelation with said conveyor belt; and means for vertically reciprocatingsaid ram in synchronism with rotation of said carrier; each stackingdevice including detent means arranged to receive and retain a coverlifted by said ram, and stack support rods extending upwardly from saiddetent devices.

10. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cover supply deviceabove said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the latter to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device; a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspaced locations therearound; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier to receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a segment to print the covers; drying means receivingthe printed covers; means ejecting printed covers from said carrier; aconveyor belt receiving the covers ejected from said carrier; saiddrying means being positioned over the upper surface of said conveyorbelt; a counter operatively associated with said conveyor belt to countcovers transported thereby from said drying means; a turntable device; aplurality of stack support devices positioned uniformly around saidturntable device; said turntable device 9, being angularly displaceableto align respective support devices in succession with the end of saidconveyor belt to receive printed and dried covers from the latter;operating means effective to angularly displace said turntable device;said counter, responsive to passage of a preselected number of coversalong said conveyor belt, triggering said operating means to angularlydisplace said turntable device to position a succeeding stacking devicein operative relation with the end of said conveyor belt; said operatingmeans for said turntable device comprising a vertically oriented fluidpressure actuator connected to said turntable device, and having apiston rod extending downwardly therefrom; a first clutch elementrotatable on said piston rod; a bracket rotatably supporting said firstclutch element; a second clutch element fixed to said piston rod andnormally disengaged from said first clutch element; means operable, in adisengaged position of said second clutch element, to restrain the sameand said piston rod against rotation; said fluid pressure actuator beingoperable, responsive to a signal from said counter, to lift said pistonrod to disengage said second clutch element from its retaining means andto engage said first and second clutch elements; and a second fluidpressure actuator connected to said first clutch element and operable,during engagement of said first and second clutch elements to angularlydisplace said first clutch element to correspondingly displace saidturntable device; said first fluid pressure actuator thereupon loweringsaid piston rod and said turntable to disengage said clutch elements andto re-engage said second clutch element with its retaining means.

11. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cover supply deviceabove said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the latter to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device; a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspaced locations therearound; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier to receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a segment to print the covers; drying means receivingthe printed covers; means ejecting printed covers from said carrier; afirst conveyor belt receiving the covers ejected from said car-rier;said drying means being positioned over the upper surface of said firstconveyor belt; a second relatively short conveyor belt adjacent theterminal portion of said first conveyor belt; a first stacking meansadjacent the discharge end of said first conveyor belt; a secondstacking means adjacent the discharge end of said second conveyor belt;a switch pivotally mounted adjacent an edge of said first conveyor beltand having a retracted position extending parallel to one side of saidfirst conveyor belt and an operative position in which it extends acrosssaid first conveyor belt to deflect covers therefrom to said secondconveyor belt; and a counter operatively associated with said firstconveyor belt and operable to count covers transported thereby; saidcounter, responsive to counting a preselected number of covers on saidfirst conveyor belt, triggering said switch for movement from oneposition to the other position and vice versa.

12. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a relatively elongated feed table; a cover supply deviceabove said table for delivering covers to said table; a conveyor elementextending along said table and having spaced abutments extendinglaterally of the latter to move covers along said table to a printingstation spaced from said supply device; a rotatable carrier at saidprinting station; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformlyspaced locations therearound; means driving said conveyor element androtating said carrier in synchronism with each other; means cooperablewith said carrier to receive covers from said conveyor element and presseach cover against a segment to print the covers; drying means receivingthe printed covers; stacking means receiving the dried covers; meansejecting printed cove-rs from said carrier; a first conveyor beltreceiving the covers ejected from said carrier; said drying means beingpositioned over the upper surface of said first conveyor belt; a secondrelatively short conveyor belt adjacent the terminal portion of saidfirst conveyor belt; a first stacking means adjacent the discharge endof said first conveyor belt; a second stacking means adjacent thedischarge end of said second conveyor belt; a switch pivotally mountedadjacent an edge of said first conveyor belt and having a retractedposition extending parallel to one side of said first conveyor belt andand operative position in which it extends across said first conveyorbelt to deflect covers therefrom to said second conveyor belt; a counteroperatively associated with said first conveyor belt and operable tocount covers transported thereby; said counter, responsive to counting apreselected number of covers on said first conveyor belt, triggeringsaid switch for movement from one position to the other position andvice versa; and a guide extending along said second conveyor beltadjacent the edge thereof further from said first conveyor belt andeffective to guide covers, deflected from said first conveyor belt tosaid second conveyor belt, longitudinally of said second conveyor belt.

13. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a printing station; a rotatable carrier at said printingstation; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformly spacedlocations therearound; means for delivering covers from a supply thereofto said printing station; means coopera'ble with said carrier to presseach cover against a respective segment to print the covers; inkingrollers operatively associated with said segments; each inking rollerbeing tubular in form to provide an axial passage therethrough; asupport for each inking roller including a cylindrical sleeve and anaxle member having a bearing portion engaged concentrically from saidbearing portion and a stub axle portion extending from said bearingportion and having bearing engagement in the associated printing roller,said stub axle portion being eccentric with respect to said bearingportion; a grip secured to said support axle member to angularly adjustthe same in said cylindrical sleeve to adjust the position of theassociated inking roller; and interengageable releasable detent means onsaid grip member and on said sleeve etfective to retain the adjustedposition of said support axle member.

14. Automatic apparatus for printing lids or covers comprising, incombination, a printing station; a rotatable carrier at said printingstation; plural printing segments on said carrier at uniformly spacedlocation-s therearound; means for delivering covers from a supplythereof to said printing station; means cooperable with said carrier topress each cover against a respective segment to print the covers;inking rollers operatively associated with said segments; each inkingroller being tubular in form to provide an axial passage therethrough; asupport for each inking roller including a cylindrical sleeve and anaxle member having a bearing portion engaged concentrically in saidsleeve and a stub axle portion extending from said bearing portion andhaving bearing engagement in the associated printing roller, said stubaxle portion being eccentric with respect to said bearing portion; agrip secured to said support axle member to angularly adjust the same insaid cylindrical sleeve to adjust the position of the associated inkingroller; interengageable releasable detent means on said grip member andon said sleeve effective to retain the adjusted position of said supportaxle member; said bearing portion having a bore extending diametricallythereof; and a spring biased detent mounted in said bore and projectingout- 11 wardly of said bearing portion; the interior surface of2,120,845 said sleeve being formed with a plurality of recesses2,484,671 engageable by said detent. 2,946,278 3,094,826 ReferencesCited by the Examiner 5 3 195 451 UNITED STATES PATENTS 557,582 4/1896Hooper 10137 1,118,217 11/1914 Nelson 101--37 2,105,400 1/1938 Booth10135 Wood 101--350 Bauman 101115 Cummings 101-115 X Davey et a1 10135 XHovecamp et a1. 101118 X ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

DAVID KLEIN, Examiner.

W. F. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner.

1. AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR PRINTING LIDS OR COVERS COMPRISING, INCOMBINATION, A RELATIVELY ELONGATED FEED TABLE; A COVER SUPPLY DEVICEABOVE SAID TABLE FOR DELIVERING COVERS TO SAID TABLE; A CONVEYOR ELEMENTEXTENDING ALONG SAID TABLE AND HAVING SPACED ABUTMENTS EXTENDINGLATERALLY OF THE LATER TO MOVE COVERS ALONG SAID TABLE TO A PRINTINGSTATION SPACED FROM SAID SUPPLY DEVICE A ROTATABLE CARRIER AT SAIDPRINTING STATION; PLURAL PRINTING SEGMENTS ON SAID CARRIER AT UNIFORMLYSPACED LOCATIONS THEREAROUND; MEANS DRIVING SAID CONVEYOR ELEMENT ANDROTATING SAID CARRIER IN SYNCHRONISM WITH EACH OTHER; MEANS COOPERABLEWITH SAID CARRIER TO RECEIVE COVERS FROM SAID CONVEYOR ELEMENT AND PRESSEACH COVER AGAINST A SEGMENT TO PRINT THE COVERS; DRYING MEANS RECEIVINGTHE PRINTED COVERS; AND STACKING MEANS RECEIVING THE DRIED COVERS; SAIDHOLDER FOR SWINGING OVER SAID FEED TABLE AND AWAY TENDING UPWARDLY FROMSAID HOLDER AND MEANS MOUNTING SAID HOLDER FOR SWINGING OVER SAID FEEDTABLE AND AWAY FROM THE LATTER ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS.